Farming the picturesque fields around Buttermere in the midst of the Cumbrian Fells has its appeal but also its challenges - not least coping with the limitations of traditional stone buildings.


Tony Blackburn of Newton Trailer Centre (right) hands over the keys for the new Landini 1-55M tractor to Buttermere sheep farmer Alan Beard

For Alan Beard and his partner Jane Holligan, the challenge is especially acute because as a National Trust tenant, Alan is unable to put up any modern buildings for his sheep enterprise.

"We're using buildings designed as horse and cart sheds for fattening lambs, and there's very narrow and limited access for modern machinery," he explains. "Things are a bit tight in all directions when it comes to cleaning them out."

Mr Beard runs Herdwick and Swaledale sheep with common land grazing rights for 1000 head on the Fells, and grows fodder on 150 acres of in-by land at Wilkinsyke Farm in Buttermere village.

Having relied on a kit-built tractor from China for the past three years, he recently upgraded to a shiny new Landini 1-55M from Newton Trailer Centre as a way of investing in a product that promises added performance and durability.

Tony Blackburn of Newton Trailer Centre took on the Landini agency two years ago, adding the tractors to his Bateson livestock trailer franchise. Last year he was appointed to handle Vicon grassland machinery and Fleming pasture maintenance equipment.

The products are supported by staff members Anthony Gibson, who carries out servicing and repairs in the workshop or on farm, and Paul Lowthian who looks after supplies of parts, tools and service consumables at the Newton Reigny premises near Penrith.

Alan Beard said of his purchase, "It has a good spec for a little tractor; I'm really impressed with it."